Mayor Nir Barkat Brings Annual Holiday Greetings to Christian Leaders in Old City

For Immediate Release:

Mayor Nir Barkat Brings Annual Holiday Greetings to Christian Leaders in Old
City

December 19, 2012 - Mayor Nir Barkat toured the Christian Quarter of
Jerusalem's Old City this morning to speak with local religious leaders,
residents, and store keepers to wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year. Mayor Barkat took the opportunity while meeting with representatives
of the Old City’s Christian leadership to discuss the challenges facing
their communities and to address their concerns regarding traffic
conditions, infrastructure, and the expansion of schools.

During the first of three scheduled tours, Mayor Barkat held meetings with
the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land,
the Ethiopian Orthodox Archbishop in Jerusalem, and the Head of the Anglican
Evangelical Episcopal Church in Israel.

Mayor Barkat’s annual tradition of bringing holiday greetings to Christian
leaders in the Old City has become an opportunity for a yearly update and
review of the concerns of each community. The Mayor told residents "there
are no problems, only challenges, and we are looking for the most effective
ways to resolve them." In this spirit, the Mayor was joined by
representatives from the relevant branches of the Municipality, as well as
his Deputy Mayor for Planning, Naomi Tsur, and City Councilman Meir
Margalit.